NC S562

Establishes the Clean Air Grant Program under the Department of Public Instruction to provide grants for replacing aging HVAC systems in public schools to improve ventilation and reduce spread of infectious disease.

Limits eligible applicants to public school units in development tier one counties with schools containing HVAC systems manufactured at least 15 years prior to application.

Caps individual school grants at $2,800,000 and requires purchased HVAC systems to comply with standards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Appropriates $150,000,000 in nonrecurring General Fund money to the Department of Public Instruction for the grant program.

Requires the Department to develop program criteria and guidelines by August 1, 2021, award grants by December 31, 2021, conduct a statewide survey by December 31, 2022, and report findings to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2022.